Two Florida Locations

Cogmed Working Memory Training

Cogmed Working Memory Training is a computer-based solution for attention problems caused by poor working memory. We combine cognitive neuroscience with innovative computer game design and close professional support to deliver substantial and lasting benefits to our patients. Our program includes easy-to-use software and personal support.

Working memory is the search engine of the mind. It is the cognitive function responsible for keeping information online, manipulating it, and using it in your thinking. It is the way that you delegate the things you encounter to the parts of your brain that can take action. In this way, working memory is necessary for staying focused on a task, blocking out distractions, and keeping you updated and aware about what’s going on around you.

We use our working memory constantly in daily life helping us to perform efficiently and effectively in academic, professional, and social settings. Cogmed exists to help you improve your working memory to be better equipped to meet your challenges.

Age

Working memory is crucial for…

Indicators that a working memory needs exercise…

Pre School

Learning the alphabet

Focusing on short instructions such as “come brush your teeth”

Remaining seated to complete independent activities such as puzzles

Seems unwilling or unable to learn alphabet, numbers

Can’t focus long enough to grasp and follow instructions

Flits from one thing to another

Elementary School

Reading and understanding the content (reading comprehension)

Mental arithmetic

Interacting and responding appropriately in peer activities such as playing on the school ground

Understanding social cues, responding to demands of a social situation

Writing essays, reports

Problems with spatial awareness, reading and following traffic cues

Interrupts, talks excessively, doesn’t listen to others

Essays and reports are short, sloppy, and disorganized

College

Focusing on and following a conversation

Making and adhering to work plans, such as studying for an exam successfully

Participating in group activities in school and socially

Sustaining focus and interest throughout lectures

Changes topics suddenly, makes irrelevant comments

Procrastinates, then tries to “cram” the night before an exam

Doesn’t listen or participate during group activities

Falls asleep or “zones out” during lectures

Adults

Getting to work on time

Meeting deadlines at work

Prioritizing multiple activities

Handling conflicts within the family

Frequently late to work

Often underestimates time required for a task

Has problems breaking a project into manageable steps

Often loses temper with children and spouse

Seniors

Actively participate in group discussions

Being able to perform what you are planning to do

Organizing your materials and activities

Managing important financial transactions

Forgetfulness

Distractibility

Losing track of the topic in a conversation

Misplacing things like glasses, mobile phone, keys, etc.

HOW COGMED WORKS

Very focused design – working memory improvement
The program challenges the user’s working memory capacity. The computerized, cognitive exercises are designed by neuroscientists to target this key cognitive function that has been proven to be fundamental to executive function and attention. The details of the exercise design allow the program to be very focused and yet provide slight variations.

Finely tuned difficulty level – you are always challenged
The difficulty level of the training is adjusted in real time by the software based on the user’s performance. The highly fine-tuned calibration means that every Cogmed user will always be training at the very edge of his or her cognitive capacity. This is true for many people, from a young child with severely impaired capacity, to an adult in good cognitive shape. Whoever you are, Cogmed training will challenge your brain – and improve it.

Highly personal support ensures you will complete the training
The program is carefully designed, rigorous, and focused on a key cognitive function. But to have strong real life effects, it also has to be used in the right way. This is why Cogmed training is always supported by a Cogmed-trained coach. The coach makes sure the user has the right profile for the training, and that the timing is right. The coach is responsible for providing the motivation, support, and feedback necessary to get the most out the training. Thanks to the Cogmed coaches, 90% of Cogmed users complete their training.

BENEFITS OF COGMED

The improved working memory “generalizes” to behavior

When you improve your working memory capacity, the change generalizes to your behavior. In other words, the change is translated to other things than just working memory. The research breakthrough is that by training a tightly defined cognitive function you create a cascading effect of improvements. You will be better able to pay attention, resist distractions, self-manage, and learn.

Cogmed training delivers substantial improvements in working memory capacity. An individual with better working memory will experience better ability to focus, resist distractions, and control impulses.

The training benefits are comprehensive, but they all follow from increased working memory capacity. The primary objective of the training is to improve attention, but the overall effect is often described as more mature behavior.

For children, parents report improvement in social skills, taking initiative, remembering instructions, and completing assignments independently. The goal is better academic performance, particularly in math and reading comprehension, as well as social awareness.

For adults, the effects are being able to stay focused, resist distractions, plan activities, complete tasks, and follow and contribute to complex discussions. The goal is improved professional performance and attentional stamina.

WHO IS COGMED FOR?

Individuals who have struggled with attention and learning all their lives – sometimes with serious problems in the form of ADHD or Learning Disability.

Individuals who have had a brain injury, stroke, or other insult to the brain, reducing their working memory capacity.

Individuals who find their ability to focus is diminishing due to the normal effects of aging, or because of increased cognitive demands and informational overload.

THE COGMED COMPLETE PROGRAM INCLUDES:

Initial interview: A meeting with a Cogmed coach is scheduled to discuss difficulties and goals, as well as to determine whether Cogmed would be of benefit.

Five weeks of training weekly with coach calls: You complete weekly trainings in the comfort of your home. Your Cogmed coach supports you and advices you on how to get the most out of the training, hear feedback, and increase motivation.

Access to the Cogmed Training Web: You and your Cogmed coach review and monitor the results of each day’s training, using our online system.